Apparatus, System and Method For Quick Transport of Hospital Beds or Ambulance Gurneys Through Secured Areas

ABSTRACT

Novel security clearance delivery assistance system for healthcare providers working in hospitals nationwide that improves patient care by reducing or eliminating the amount of time needlessly wasted by manually presenting security clearance smart cards to the security reader for authentication while transporting patients across hospitals. In life or death situations, which occur routinely in hospitals, quick delivery of patients to destinations such as the operating room could mean life or death. A health care professional&#39;s ability to save lives may depend in part on their ability to quickly transport patients through secured areas, which currently require the transporter to stop and authenticate at each doorway. With the likelihood of survival decreasing exponentially as time passes, reducing or eliminating interruptions during transportation will enable healthcare providers more time to perform life saving procedures and dramatically increase the likelihood of survival.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is a continuation application of and claims the benefitof priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to the filing date of the U.S.Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/242,485, entitled“Apparatus, System and Method For Quick Transport of Hospital Beds orAmbulance Gurneys Through Secured Areas”, filed on Aug. 20, 2016, which,in turn, claims the benefit of priority to the filing date of the U.S.provisional patent application No. 62/340,526 “Apparatus, System AndMethod For Quick Transport of Hospital Beds or Ambulance Gurneys ThroughSecured Areas” which was filed on May 24, 2016 and which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally to a system, apparatus andmethod of quick transport of hospital beds and ambulance gurneys throughsecured hospital areas.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In every well-equipped hospital, mobile hospital beds or ambulancegurneys are essential. They are mobile so patients may be moved todifferent services within the hospital for necessary medical procedures.First, a patient is transported on an ambulance gurney to the hospitalemergency room. Then, the patient may be transferred to a hospital bed.From there the patient might be transported to radiology for varioustests such as X-rays and CT scans. As we all know, life and deathemergencies occur daily at hospitals and time is of the essence. Everysecond counts. Thus, it is essential that the travel path of a gurney orhospital bed in such an emergency be as clear and unimpeded as possible.A matter of seconds quite literally could mean life or death forpatients.

However, hospitals, like other important establishments, must maintainthe safety and security of the facility, the personnel, and patrons.This is equally as vital as quickly transporting injured patients. As aresult, hospitals must install locked doors and security systems to keepunauthorized persons out while allowing authorized personnel in. Becauseof these necessary security measures, the travel time of a gurney or bedmay be significantly magnified by obliging authorized personnel tofrequently pause in order to authenticate themselves at each doorway. Itcannot be overstated in these tenuous circumstances that time is of theessence.

Currently, authorization at each door involves a security reader,typically installed on a wall in the vicinity of the door. Some systemsutilize a magnetically charged smart card or chip embedded security cardfor each authorized person to wear on their person. Authorization isachieved by bringing the smart card or card within a couple inches orcentimeters of the reader. The reader is then able to see the smart cardand the system either authenticates or rejects it. Upon authentication,the doors are unlocked, or opened automatically.

Obviously, it takes time to scan, read and authenticate the smart card.Thus, the medical professional must stop several times to perform therequired verification, wasting precious time, which by no exaggeration,could mean life or death in a large number of cases.

Furthermore, employee safety is equally as important as patient safety.Each year, hospitals pay exorbitant amounts of money due to employeeinjuries. Those responsible for quick and safe transport of patients areat a much higher risk of injury due to constant pushing, pulling, andstopping required by the aforementioned security measures. Hospital bedsand gurneys can weigh hundreds of pounds alone, and much more whenoccupied by large adult men or women. The added physical strain fromeach stop accumulates over time and significantly increases the risk ofinjury, and consequently workplace injuries.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of this invention to significantly reduce the amount oftime wasted by the required security checkpoints littered along thehospital bed or gurney's pathway. This will be accomplished by creatinga device, which is universally attachable and detachable to hospitalbeds and gurneys, which will be extendable to any length required by theheight of the installed security card reader, in order to place the cardwithin the required proximity to be seen by the reader and consequentlyauthenticated.

It is the object of this invention to relieve hospital personnel theburden of stopping, locating their card, placing the card next to thereader, and returning the card to their pocket or smart card clip onceverified. When seconds matter, such a device could be key to savingsomeone's life.

It is further the object of this invention to reduce workplace injuriesfor employees responsible for quick and safe transport of patients. Byreducing or eliminating physical strain caused by multiple stops along apatient's transport pathway, workplace risk of injury may besignificantly reduced and employee safety increased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the invention will not bedescribed with reference to the drawings of certain preferredembodiments, which are intended to illustrate and not to limit theinvention, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an example of one possible pathway a patient, who is lying ona gurney or bed, may take through a hospital in order to reach theirdestination.

FIG. 2 is an example of the potential added time current securitymeasures may add to a patient's travel time from their arrival in the ERto the Operating Room.

FIG. 3 is an example of the potential added time current securitymeasures may add to a patient's travel time from their arrival in the ERto the Operating Room while utilizing the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an example of a hospital gurney.

FIG. 5 is an example of a hospital smart card reader.

FIG. 6 is an example of a hospital smart card.

FIG. 7 is an example of a hospital bed.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate the front and side view of one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate the front and side view of one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 10A & 10B illustrate the front and side view of one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 11A & 11B illustrate the front and side view of one embodiment ofthe present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, a method for transporting patiencethrough secured areas is disclosed comprising Installing security gateto each secured area; Installing a gate opening system to said securitygate comprising a receiver and a smart card wherein said security gateopens when said smart card is in close proximity to said receiver;Installing said receiver outside said secured area along a wall;Providing a gurney or a hospital bed to transport a patient; Attachingan adjustable smart card holder to said hospital bed or to said gurney;Attach said smart card to said smart card holder; Adjust said adjustablesmart card holder wherein said smart card is aligned with said receiveron the wall; Triggering the security gate to open when said gurney orsaid hospital bed is pushed close by said receiver wherein said smartcard triggers said security gate to open. In one embodiment, theadjustable smart card holder has an extension arm wherein said extensionarm changes elevation of said smart card in relation to said gurney orhospital bed. In one embodiment, said adjustable smart card holder hasan extension arm holding said smart card wherein said arm can rotate 360degrees along a radius.

In one embodiment, said adjustable smart card holder has an extensionarm wherein said extension arm is a gooseneck tube. In one embodiment,said adjustable smart card holder has an extension arm wherein saidextension arm is a gooseneck mount.

In another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for clamping onto agurney or a hospital bed comprising a clamp, a movable arm wherein saidmovable arm is comprised of flexible gooseneck and a mounting plate tomount a smart card is disclosed. In one embodiment, the flexiblegooseneck is comprised of plastic friction vertebrate. In oneembodiment, the flexible gooseneck is comprised of metal tubing.

In another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for clamping onto agurney or hospital bed comprising a smart card holder is disclosed, amounting connector to a gurney or a hospital bed and a swing arm. In oneembodiment, said mounting connector is comprised of a Velcro belt tosecure said mounting connector to said hospital bed or said gurney. Inone embodiment, said swing arm is comprised of at least a first armjoined to the first end of a second arm with a friction screw and thesecond end of said second arm joined to a 3^(rd) arm with a frictionscrew.

In another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for clamping onto agurney or a hospital bed comprising a smart card holder, a mountingconnector to said gurney or said hospital bed and a swing arm. In oneembodiment, said mounting connector is comprised of a clamping structurecomprising a claw and at least one internal spring wherein said internalspring exerts spring force to said claw thereby allowing said clawclamps to said gurney or said hospital bed, wherein said claw furthercomprises at one or more friction pads to enhance said claw's ability togrip, wherein said claws may be disengaged by applying force againstsaid spring. In one embodiment, said swing arm is comprised a first armsection and a second arm section, wherein said first arm is slideablewithin inside said second arm wherein said swing arm is furthercomprised of a friction lock wherein said friction lock secures saidfirst arm section against said second arm section along the entirelength of said second arm. In one embodiment, said smart card holder iscomprised of a rotatable plate and a clear cover comprising at least onehorizontal opening large enough to allow any standard sized smart cardto be inserted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment an extendible and retractable arm apparatus willpresent the required smart card to the reader.

In one embodiment the arm possesses a latching mechanism, which mayattach to the side rail of any variation of hospital bed or gurney.

In one embodiment the latching mechanism is composed of spring-loadedclaw with friction pads to hold the arm securely to the side rail of thebed or gurney.

In one embodiment the latching mechanism is composed of Velcro band orloop with friction pads to hold the arm securely to the side rail of thebed or gurney.

In one embodiment the latching mechanism is composed of a friction lockwith friction pads to hold the arm securely to the side rail of the bedor gurney.

In one embodiment the arm possesses an adjustable holding mechanism,which may securely hold various types of smart cards to be presented tothe reader for authentication.

In one embodiment the holding mechanism is composed of a clear pouchwith a horizontal or vertical slit, allowing the user to easily insert asmart card into the holding mechanism for safe and secure presentationto the wall-mounted smart card reader.

In one embodiment the holding mechanism is composed of a Velcro band orloop, enabling the user to secure the smart card by looping the Velcrothrough the hole punch-out common to smart cards, and securing theVelcro onto itself in the typical fashion, thus allowing the user toeasily attach a smart card to the holding mechanism for safe and securepresentation to the wall-mounted smart card reader.

In one embodiment the holding mechanism is composed of a two frictiontrays, a top tray and bottom tray, allowing the user to easily insert asmart card into the holding mechanism for safe and secure presentationto the wall-mounted smart card reader.

In one embodiment the arm is extendible, allowing the user to adjust theheight of the smart card to the same height as the reader.

In one embodiment the arm is extendible using two individual arms inwhich one slides freely inside the other, allowing the user to adjustthe height of the smart card to the same height as the reader.

In one embodiment the arm is extendible using additional joints in whicheach joint may be tightened or loosened, locking or unlocking the armsin place, allowing the user to adjust the height of the smart card tothe same height as the reader.

In one embodiment the arm is adjustable by using multiplefriction-locking vertebrae comprising one long arm, allowing the user toadjust the position of the smart card to the same position as thereader.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in the context of a preferredembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, this illustrates a sample hospital floor plan andone potential pathway any given patient may follow. Here a patiententers the hospital 100 through the Emergency Room (“ER”) 102 on agurney. The patient is admitted to the ER 102 and assigned to room four101. The patient is then transferred to a hospital bed whereupon thedoctor orders a procedure 109 to be performed in radiology 108 on theopposite side of the hospital. A technician then transports the patient.He must first stop at the ER card reader 103 to present his securityclearance and is admitted to recovery 104. He then travels throughrecovery 104 to reach the O.R. Prep card reader 105 where he is onceagain stopped to present his security clearance. Once admitted to O.R.Prep 106 he must then approach the Radiology card reader 107 to presenthis security clearance. Once admitted to Radiology 108, the procedure isperformed 109. Procedures may include X-rays, CT scans, or Mill's. Oncecompleted, the scan reveals the patient's appendix has previouslyruptured and must immediately undergo emergency surgery in the O.R. 112as he has only minutes to live. The technician must then rush thepatient to the O.R. 112. But first, he must stop and the O.R. Prep cardreader 110 to request clearance. Once granted, he must once again stopat the O.R. card reader 107 before finally being admitted to theoperating room for the life-saving procedure 113. This illustration of apatient pathway through a simple hospital is very common. The proceduresmay differ per patient but the required security checks at each doorwaydoes not differ between patients and the added delay may endanger thepatient's life.

Referring to FIG. 2, this illustrates additional travel time accumulatedat each card reader of the previously illustrated patient pathway fromthe ER to Radiology to the OR. Here the patient arrives at the ER 200and is admitted. No security clearance is required at this point. Nexthe must enter Recovery, which requires him to stop 201 to present hissmart card to the card reader adding 30 seconds to the patient's traveltime. Next he must travel through Recovery to OR Prep where he onceagain must stop 202 to present his smart card to the card reader addinganother 30 seconds. Once admitted, he must stop again 203 to scan hissmart card adding 30 seconds. Following radiology's procedure he muststop 204 once again to scan his smart card to enter O.R. Prep, againadding another 30 seconds. Next, to enter the operating room he muststop 205 to present his smart card adding another 30 seconds. In thisexample, the total added travel time due to the required stops at eachdoorway to manually present a smart card equals 2 minutes 30 seconds.For a patient such as the one illustrated, whose appendix has previouslyruptured, this amount of additional time may be fatal.

Referring to FIG. 3, this illustrates additional travel time accumulatedat each card reader of the previously illustrated patient pathway fromthe ER 300 to Radiology to the OR 306 while using the present invention.Here the patient arrives at the ER 300 and is admitted. No securityclearance is required at this point. Next he must enter Recovery, whichrequires him to stop 301 to present his smart card to the card reader.However, the current invention presents the smart card autonomously,adding 0 seconds to the patient's travel time and allowing him tocontinue uninterrupted. Next, he must travel through Recovery to OR Prepwhere he once again must stop 302 to present his smart card to the cardreader. However, the current invention presents the smart cardautonomously, adding 0 seconds to the patient's travel time and allowinghim to continue uninterrupted. Once admitted, he must stop again 303 toscan his smart card. However, the current invention presents the smartcard autonomously, adding 0 seconds to the patient's travel time andallowing him to continue uninterrupted. Following radiology's procedurehe must stop 304 once again to scan his smart card to enter O.R. Prep.However, the current invention presents the smart card autonomously,adding 0 seconds to the patient's travel time and allowing him tocontinue uninterrupted. Next, to enter the operating room 306 he muststop 305 to present his smart card. However, the current inventionpresents the smart card autonomously, adding 0 seconds to the patient'stravel time and allowing him to continue uninterrupted. In this example,the total added travel time due to the required stops at each doorway isreduced to 0 additional seconds. In other words, the present inventionhas saved 2 minutes and 30 seconds that otherwise would have beenneedlessly wasted. For a patient whose appendix has previously ruptured,this amount of saved time may be life saving.

Referring to FIG. 4, this illustrates one type of ER gurney that may beused in hospitals throughout the country. Each one has safety siderails. The present invention may attach to these side rails, near thehead 400 for example or near the feet 401.

Referring to FIG. 5, this illustrates the most common form of cardreader among hospitals 500. Typically the smart card is placed within afew inches of the reader to be properly authorized. Current methodsrequire the employee to stop and manually hold the reader within thepreviously mentioned proximity. However, the current invention isdesigned to accomplish this task autonomously.

Referring to FIG. 6, this illustrates the most common form of smart cardused in hospitals nationwide. Embedded within the card is a magneticchip 600 that communicates with the card reader from a short distance.

Referring to FIG. 7, this illustrates the most common type of hospitalbed used nationwide. Each one contains several safety side rails, asillustrated, with several various hand rails throughout the design.These handholds 700, 701, 702, 703 are a few examples of locations wherethe present invention may be installed.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, this illustrates one embodiment of thepresent invention. Here, the latching mechanism is composed ofspring-loaded claws 800 with built in friction pads that are utilized byclasping the counter levers 801, consequently opening the claws andallowing the device to be clasped around hand rails or safety rails ofany size. The extension arm is attached to the latching mechanism by arotatable friction screw lock 802. The arm is comprised of anothersmaller arm, which slides freely inside the larger one allowing the armto be extended to a finite length and which may be locked in place by alocking clamp 803. The holding mechanism is attached to the smaller armby another rotatable friction screw lock 804. The holding mechanismallows for one smart card to be inserted into a clear pouch attached toa hard plastic back plate with a horizontal opening greater than thewidth of a common smart card 805.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, this illustrates one embodiment of thepresent invention. Here, the latching mechanism is composed of a Velcrobelt 900 that is wrapped around the handrail or safety rail, goesthrough a belt loop, and attaches back onto itself 900. The base of thelatching mechanism is lined with friction pads 901 to allow for a securehold of the handrail or safety rail without slipping. The arm iscomposed of multiple arms, connected by friction screw locks 902, 903,which allow the arm to be extended to a finite length and locked inplace. The holding mechanism is attached to the arm by another frictionscrew lock 904 allowing for rotation of the holding mechanism. Theholding mechanism is composed of a plastic back plate and another Velcrobelt 905, which is threaded through the hole punch of a standardsecurity card, and attached back onto itself as illustrated, thussecurely holding the security card for presentation to the card reader.

Referring to FIG. 10, this illustrates one embodiment of the presentinvention. Here, the latching mechanism is composed of a friction claspwith interior friction pads 1000. The friction clasps are designed to besmaller than the standard handrail and safety rail but flexible enoughto be forced around them. The resulting resistance will securely attachthe device by creating friction between the latching mechanism and thebed or gurney side rail. The arm is composed of multiple frictionlocking vertebrae 1001, which are loose enough to allow adjustment butstiff enough to lock in position. The holding mechanism is attached tothe arm by a friction screw lock 1002 allowing for rotation of theholding mechanism. The holding mechanism is composed of a plastic backplate 1005 and two friction lips, a top 1003 and a bottom 1004. Thesmart card is inserted into the holding device from either the left orright sides and is held in place by the friction lips, thus securelyholding the security card for presentation to the card reader.

Referring to FIG. 11, this illustrates one embodiment of the presentinvention. Here, the latching mechanism is composed of a friction claspwith interior friction pads 1100. The friction clasps are designed to besmaller than the standard handrail and safety rail but flexible enoughto be forced around them. The resulting resistance will securely attachthe device by creating friction between the latching mechanism and thebed or gurney side rail. The arm is composed of multiple metal frictionlocking vertebrae 1101, commonly known as a metal gooseneck, which areloose enough to allow adjustment but stiff enough to lock in position.The holding mechanism is attached to the arm by a friction screw lock1102 allowing for rotation of the holding mechanism. The holdingmechanism is composed of a plastic back plate 1105 and two frictionlips, a top 1103 and a bottom 1104. The smart card is inserted into theholding device from either the left or right sides and is held in placeby the friction lips, thus securely holding the security card forpresentation to the card reader.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. An apparatus forclamping onto a gurney or a hospital bed comprising a clamp, a movablearm wherein said movable arm is comprised of flexible gooseneck and amounting plate to mount a smart card.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the flexible gooseneck is comprised of plastic frictionvertebrate.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible gooseneckis comprised of metal tubing.